By: Beverly and Greg Wise – Golf the Wise Way
IMAGINE… A Tropical Caribbean Island… sitting off the Southeast coast of Florida, with a culture and heritage more diverse than anywhere else on earth… that the people refer to themselves as “Boricua.”
Boricua would be considered a spirit, a flavor, and a rhythm that you truly can find in one place on earth – Puerto Rico.
Boricua (bȯ-ree-kwa) — A person from Puerto Rico by birth or descent.
The overall culture of Puerto Rico is a colorful tapestry of old and new. Mixing Indigenous Taínos, Spanish, and African traditions and you’ll find expressions of that culture mix, throughout the entire island. Art museums… vibrant murals… or join in a Bomba dance lessons, or even lively festivals that fill the streets. Look, listen, or join right in. You can truly immerse yourself in the welcoming and unique culture of Puerto Rico.
CONSIDER… Being so close to cultural phenomenon that when you delve deeper into what it means to ‘Live Boricua’ as our vibrant culture invites you in. And the best part… NO PASSPORT NEEDED. Puerto Rico is a Territory of the United States, so catching a flight to this tropical paradise is as simple as showing your driver’s license, state ID, and your ticket at the gate… and you are on your way.
BUT DON’T FORGET TO BRING YOUR CLUBS… to Puerto Rico. Our golf clubs hate it when we leave them at home… and they know we have gone off to an island for the weekend.
There are 18 golf courses located throughout Puerto Rico. 11 of those courses are in or near the San Juan region on the North “Metro” region of the island. 10 of those courses are part of an extended amenities package at some very exclusive resorts.
The courses are diverse yet complementary, offering a variety of choices depending on your preferences.
Trophy courses? Check.
Non-resort courses that illuminate municipality’s goal to promote golf outside San Juan? Check.
Courses where college and professional players compete? Check.
With different terrain types… open… tight… (LOL) very tight… ocean views… mountain views… price points, or more — there are options for everyone playing golf.
WHO IS THE MOST POPULAR PUERTO RICO GOLFER EVER…?
I know you’ve got this answer… Juan Antonio Rodriguez… or as his fans called him… “Chi-Chi.”
Chi-Chi was one of the “great showmen” in sports history. His career spanned four decades. Chi-Chi won 22 Senior PGA Tour events, 8 regular PGA Tour events, and during his career earned over $7 million.
Juan Antonio “Chi-Chi” Rodriguez. The Puerto Rican golf legend. October 23, 1935 – August 8, 2024. He is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Before the game entered the mainstream and attracted the corporate dollar the entertainers played a big part in getting fans through the gates and into the game. Chi-Chi will be remembered as golf’s great entertainer.
Chi-Chi Rodriguez won his first PGA Tour event, The Denver Open in 1963. After that tournament, Chi-Chi explained that it was his “biggest thrill in golf.” Now keep in mind with PGA Purses today passing the $20 Million mark… the Denver Open posted a whopping… $35,000 purse for the players.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR OUR NEXT VISIT…
Our next visit to Puerto Rico will be more to the adventurous side of life. The El Yunque is the only tropical Rainforest in the US Forest Service. Don’t forget this is still a US Territory… so, yes… the US Forest Service. I have seen pictures of a beautiful waterfall to visit via a walking trail inside the Rainforest.
I have heard from reliable sources… that the walk is one mile from the parking area and downhill . . . which means a one mile walk back uphill (think about that before your adventure). We are all-in for this adventure.
Puerto Rico has the brightest Bioluminescent Bay in the world. There are only five Bioluminescent Bays in the world and three of them are in Puerto Rico.
GETTING TO PUERTO RICO…
Puerto Rico has 3 commercial airports, with Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) being the largest and most accessible. More than 20 commercial airlines fly in and out of the city every day.
What about a Cruise line? Check your itinerary. Cruise ships dock in port minutes away from the Old San Juan Region, where you are just steps away from this unique culture, and incredible shopping experiences.
SO WHY WAIT…
If you haven’t been… it is a perfect time to start planning. And if it a return trip… well…, what have you been waiting for… a special invitation? Okay… You’ve got it… because there is “No Passport needed.”
About the Authors…
Greg and Beverly Wise have been traveling the world, playing and writing about their golf experiences as “Golf the Wise Way.” Greg has played golf for more than 60 years and truly believes that “a picture is worth a thousand words…” so, Beverly and Greg both excel in getting the right photos to enhance their stories.